Non-Integrated PDU Session Tunneling for Multi-Session Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in supporting multiple protocol data unit (PDU) sessions and suffer from significant overhead increases due to packet encapsulation, particularly in non-third generation partnership project (3GPP) wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a secure tunnel between a user equipment (UE) and a user plane function (UPF) of a core network using a non-3GPP radio access technology, performing authentication and key exchange, and establishing PDU sessions to facilitate data communications, with options for encapsulation using multi-path quick user datagram protocol (UDP) internet communications (MPQUIC), multi-path transport control protocol (MPTCP), or point-to-point-vendor specific network protocol (PTP-VSNP) IP header-level encapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional 3GPP technologies are used for PDU session management, then reliability is maintained, but device complexity and overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDU session management complexityVSAvoidsession management reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the PDU session management functionality from the traditional 3GPP access network and relocates it to the core network's UPF. This separation allows the access network to handle only basic connectivity while the core network manages session establishment, modification, and release, thereby reducing access network complexity without compromising session management reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UPF acts as an intermediary between the access network and data networks, centralizing session management functions. This mediator handles authentication, key establishment, and PDU session control, simplifying the access network devices while maintaining reliable session management through the specialized core network function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If packet encapsulation is used in non-3GPP wireless networks, then security is improved, but overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidpacket overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies encapsulation selectively only where security is required - specifically for user plane data traffic between the UE and UPF. Control plane signaling and already-secure traffic paths use minimal or no encapsulation, thereby providing security where needed while minimizing overall overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the encapsulation parameters by using efficient encapsulation formats with optimized header structures. It also dynamically adjusts encapsulation usage based on security requirements and traffic types, reducing overhead by avoiding unnecessary encapsulation of non-sensitive traffic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PDU sessions are established, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-session supportVSAvoidsession management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UPF is designed as a universal session management entity that handles all PDU session operations across multiple access types and data networks. This single multi-functional component replaces multiple specialized functions, enabling support for numerous PDU sessions while actually reducing overall system complexity through consolidation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments session management into distinct functional modules within the UPF - authentication module, session establishment module, modification module, and release module. This segmentation allows independent processing of each session through standardized procedures, making multi-session management more systematic and less complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260046949A1Non-integrated access protocol data unit session management

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A network entity (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) may establish, via a first radio access technology (RAT), a secure tunnel between the network entity and a user plane function (UPF) of a core network associated with a second RAT that is different from the first RAT. The network entity may perform, via the secure tunnel, an authentication and key establishment procedure with the UPF to obtain a key. The network entity may establish one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with the UPF. The network entity may communicate, using the key, data communications with the core network via the UPF and via the one or more PDU sessions.